A Psychotherapist’s Shema in Auschwitz

Vaetchanan

These words, a highlight of our daily prayers, express powerful pearls of faith. But I didn't expect to read them in a timeless best-selling classic.

In Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl describes his experiences in the Nazi concentration camps.

Shortly after arriving at Auschwitz, Frankl was stripped of his most precious possession—a manuscript that was his life’s work, hidden in his coat pocket. He then had “perhaps his deepest experience in the concentration camps.”

“I had to undergo and overcome the loss of my mental child. And now it seemed as if nothing and no one would survive me; neither a physical nor a mental child of my own. So I found myself confronted with the question whether under such circumstances my life was ultimately void of meaning.

“An answer to this question with which I was wrestling so passionately was already in store for me. ... This was the case when I had to surrender my clothes and in turn inherited the worn-out rags of an inmate who had already been sent to the gas chamber. ... Instead of the many pages of my manuscript, I found in a pocket of the newly acquired coat one single page torn out of a Hebrew prayer book, containing the most important Jewish prayer, Shema Yisroel.

“How should I have interpreted such a ‘coincidence’ other than as a challenge to live my thoughts instead of merely putting them on paper?”

Why has the Shema Yisroel prayer inspired so many through the most trying times?

Aside from its simple assertion of belief, I think there are four key psychological elements:

1) Relevance: Listen, Israel—Religion cannot start and end with theories; it must address our humanness. The Shema does not begin with a depersonalized statement of faith. It addresses each one of us. Listen, Israel, listen to this message, and make it a part of your being

2) Belonging: The Shema is in plural (“our G‑d” and not “my G‑d”), spoken to a collective group. We gain strength from one another and fortitude from being a part of something greater than ourselves. That sense of community is one of our strongest assets.

3) Personalization: G‑d is our G‑d. G‑d, who is transcendental and infinite, is also our personal G‑d, holding us in times of celebration and despair. G‑d is not just an objective ruler, creating and regulating the cosmos. He is “ours,” near us, understanding the deepest part of us, more than we do.

4) Individuality: As much as we need a sense of belonging and community, we must not negate our individual differences. The Shema ends with the words “G‑d is one” (rather than G‑d is “singular” or “alone”). One, the first of the numbers, teaches that G‑d is present within the diversity of the world. While conformity stunts growth, the “oneness of G‑d” should empower us to discover and cultivate the G‑dly oneness and uniqueness within each of us.

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

Art by Rivka Korf. Rivka uses her creativity and expertise to create masterful compositions and illustrations. She shares her love of coffee with her husband, and passes on her appreciation of art and design to her children.

Shabbat deLights is a collection of insights on the weekly Torah portion by acclaimed author and editor, Chana Weisberg. Each week the reader will delight in concise and impactful essays rooted in the Biblical text, yet providing practical, empowering tools for dealing with contemporary life's many challenges from a feminine perspective.

Moved to share a thought...
Thank you for your moving and enlightening words.The first words of the Shema bring with them Hashem's commandment in His love, and the next few words describe His expectation of our love for Him. And then, a description of the depth of our commitment.B'Chol Nafshecha - with the portion of Hashem inside youB'Chol Levavecha - with the physical body and brain Hashem gave youB'Chol Meodeacha - with all of your being. This is the hardest to translate, it encompasses what you are, who you are, how you think, how you feel, what you do.
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Thanks Mrs Weisberg for your great work . The Rebbe asked for the life and work of Viktor Frankl to be promoted . Yasher koach in doing that so wellFrankl would put on tefillin daily and say tehillimHis key book is Man's Search For Meaning , available online free, via archive.orgHappy tu b'av all !
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The word of the Shema and How they Can be Intrepreted
There is much more in this prayer than its first line. perhaps Hanna, you might want to add to your teaching and tell us why we should spend so much effort on loving G-d and on talking about Him during the four kinds of our personal activities included in the first paragraph?
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Mrs. Chana WeisbergAugust 15, 2019

in response to David Harold Chester:

David, there is so much depth to this prayer, we could write and write! Perhaps you'd like to share with us what you are thinking?
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Wow! That was so touching and beautifully written and I want to let it in...in. What art, what an indescribe-able reaching into my soul. Thank you, bless you!
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AnonymousJuly 17, 2018

Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning"
Thank you for this timely reminder of Victor Frankl's book, which I first read more than twenty years ago. Reply

Dina LeahBangor, MaineJuly 16, 2018

I said this with my mom last time I saw her
I’m currently in Suva mourning my dear mom. I visited her week before she died. ((I’m in Maine, & she was in N. California). I’m the only one as baala teshuva to know that I had to help mom. Our Chabad rabbi’s wife Esther suggested Shema & vidui. I found Chabad.orgs instructions, I started with Shema. Mom began to stir during chanting of vidui, & by time I sang Adon Olam she was totally awake. She could not speak due to strokes. We held hands, she squeezed it, & looked into my eyes. Told he I love her & G-d loves her. She died a week later. I returned from her funeral & am now sitting shiva in Maine. I know I brought peace to my mom. Esther said I helped mom’s neshama with teshuva. Thanks for reminding me how powerful Shema is. Mom knew it too inside..
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CarmiIsraelAugust 11, 2019

in response to Dina Leah:

Your comment is very touching. May your mother's memory be a blessing!
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The book A Man's Search for meaning is amazing. Sometimes, we are found when we do not realise we are searching. A Jewish soul has an amazing connection that cannot be defined or explained in words. A connection occurs, how, why, where and when cannot be determined. Then we hear what we read and know to draw closer to the Torah and listen to the teachings for this is our purpose, to fulfil the mitzvos, thus connecting us with HaShem.
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